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National Economy: Clean Sweep; Tinubu’s Men Firmly In Control

By
James Orji
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Following the appointment of Olayemi Micheal Cardoso as the acting Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor President Bola Tinubu appears to have completely rid the country’s public financial sector of the appointees of his predecessor, appointing in their place his own men.
Cardoso, a former commissioner under Tinubu while he was governor of Lagos state was appointed by the president to replace embattled CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele who is facing corruption charges and is currently being detained by the Department of State Services, DSS.

His name and four other Deputy Governor nominees have now been sent to the Senate for confirmation, according to a statement released on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso to serve as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for a term of five (5) years at the first instance, pending his confirmation by the Nigerian Senate,” the statement said.

The president’s spokesman said further that the four Deputy Governors were appointed in “conformity with Section 8 (1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which vests in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the authority to appoint the governor and four (4) deputy governors for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), subject to confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

if he’s confirmed by the Senate, Cardoso’s appointment has completed the cycle of key appointments President Tinubu has made in the nation’s financial sector since he came to power on May 29, 2023, according to keen business and financial analysts who spoke on the issue.

According to this school of thought, the president has left no one in doubt of his plan to reform the financial sector of the economy by appointing his own people who he believes can expand the revenue net, as well as give him quality advice on how to implement public finance policies.

“The monetary and fiscal policies of the country need total re-engineering if any achievement is to be made in these areas. It will be difficult for the current administration to work with some appointees it inherited from the former government. Some people just have to go,” a source in the Ministry of Finance said.

The reform, according to the source started with the appointment of Wale Edun as the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minster of the Economy.

The minister served as the commissioner of Finance while the president was the governor of Lagos state. His appointment did not surprise many who credited him for the success of the Tinubu administration in Lagos state in the area of management of the state’s financial resources.

Before Cardoso’s appointment, President Tinubu had appointed Zach Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, to replace Muhammad Nami who has been directed to proceed on three months compulsory leave.
Adedeji, a former Commissioner of Finance in Oyos State and close aide of the president had earlier been appointed as Special Adviser on Revenue, but some key analysts in the financial sector said he had been tipped to head the government revenue generating agency.

Meanwhile, close analysts in the financial sector said what these appointees have in common, apart from their pedigree as technocrats, is that they have once worked with the president one way or the other in the past.

Kano Election Tribunal: Gov Sacks Commissioner, Adviser, For Outbursts Against Judges, Shettima

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf,  has dismissed from office, his Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Adamu Kibiya, for threatening the lives of Judges on the Panel of the Governorship Election Tribunal in the State.

In the same manner, the Governor, also, fired his Special Adviser on Youth and Sports, Aliyu Yusuf Imam, popular as “Ogan Boye”, for making unguarded statements against Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In a now viral video, the Commissioner asked the Judges handling the Petition against Governor Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, by the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, to choose between their lives and their work in the deliverance of the judgement.

The sacked Commissioner said in part: “People voted for us and some people are attempting to do injustice. We want to tell the Judges that we will not accept this. Any Judge that is willing to deprive us of our rights will regret it. Whatever will happen, we won’t care”

He said this  during a protest organised by members of the ruling New  NNPP in the State against what they perceive as the alleged body language of the Tribunal Judges.

Embarrassed by the viral video, the Governor fired Kibiya. He also fired Special Adviser, Imam, over his unguarded and disrespectful utterances against Vice President Shettima.

The Governor’s action was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye when he  addressed  journalists at Government House, Kano, on Friday. He said the Governor ordered the dismissal from office of both men with immediate effect.

Dantiye  said the utterances  by Kibiya and Imam do not represent the position of the State Government on the Judges and the Vice President

Dantiye: “While condemning the unfortunate threat to the Judges and the disrespect shown to the VP, we wish to make it categorically clear that the views expressed do not represent the official position of the State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Alh Abba Kabir Yusuf.

“It is important to emphasise that neither of the two officials have any clearance to speak on behalf of Government and none of them serves as official spokesperson of the Government.

“Kano State Government under HE Abba Kabir Yusuf holds the Judiciary in very high esteem and expresses tremendous amount of respect to Justices and all Judicial Officers.

“Besides, the good understanding between the Government and people of Kano State and Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Kano State Governor HE Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf deeply respects the person and office of the Vice President His Excellency Alh. Kashim Shettima, GCON, and will not condone any lota of disrespect on the Vice President or any other Nigerian leader.

“The Government has also directed that, henceforth, no official of Government should speak on any matter outside the purview of their MDAs without express clearance and permission.

“Henceforth, unguarded and inflammatory statements will not be condoned. The Ministry of Information is directed to ensure that all Media outlets in the State, especially, Radio stations are complying with the extant guidelines provided by regulatory agencies.

“While expressing our faith in the judicial process, believing very strangly that justice will prevail at all the levels of judicial processes, the Kano State Government wishes to call on all residents in the State to remain law-abiding and continue to go about their normal businesses without any hindrances.”

“Tinubu Deprived Me From Setting More Records” – Rtd. FIRS Chairman, Nami,  Laments

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Muhammad Nami

By Adesina Soyooye

The just compulsorily retired Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami, has lamented how his sudden retirement from office deprived him of setting more records than he claims he already did.

Apparently confused on the reason of his sudden retirement, he said he had done a good job, and was set to even do more when his retirement, with immediate effect, was ordered by President Bola Tinubu.

President Tinubu had on Thursday, asked Nami to proceed on a- three month pre-retirement leave. In his place, the President nominated  Dr Zacchaeus Adedeji, his Special Adviser on Revenue, in an acting capacity, pending his confirmation by the Senate.

But Nami who expressed his appreciation to former President Muhamnmadu Buhari who appointed him, and President Tinubu who allowed him to remain in office till his sudden retirement, said he was going to set a record but for his earky retirement.

Dr Nami’s feelings were contained in a farewell statement where he recounted his achievements in the less than four years he was in office. His tenure was to last for four years, and renewable after the first tenure.

One of them was his ability  to collect tax of more than eight trillion Naira within eight months which he said he would have set a new record of a minimum of N13 trillion at the end of the current tax year.

His statement, titled, “My Appreciation To Nigerians reads:

“With utmost gratitude to the Almighty God, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the erstwhile President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and the incumbent President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the opportunity given to me to serve the country and humanity as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for almost four years.

“I want to extend my deep appreciation to the entire staff of the Service, our esteemed taxpayers, and Nigerians for believing in me, and for the support and cooperation extended to me throughout my tenure.

“I want to put on record that the support and cooperation I received enabled my team to meet our target, and set new records for tax collection in Nigeria.

“Even as I take my bow, we have so far collected more than eight trillion Naira in eight months and would have set a new record of a minimum of N13 trillion at the end of this tax year.

“During the inauguration of the erstwhile Board Members of the Service, I promised to raise the country’s Tax-To-GDP ratio from 6% to 10% in 4-years. We already have achieved a Tax-to-GDP ratio of 10.86% within two years (i.e. as at 31st December 2021.)

“I can, therefore, say that I am leaving as a fulfilled man knowing that I have served diligently. I am equally leaving a Service that is built on world-class best practices. Indeed, it couldn’t have been more fulfilling.

“I implore the staff, taxpayers, and Nigerians to extend the same measure of cooperation to the incoming Executive Chairman, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, to enable him to succeed. Tax collection is a sensitive matter that requires all hands on deck to achieve.”

Supreme Court Declines To Sack Mba, Enugu Governor

By
The Source
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Peter Mbah

By Gideon Njoku

The Supreme Court on Friday, September 15, declined to sack Enugu State Governor, Peter Mba.

Ruling on a suit brought against the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governor, by the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Uche Nnaji, in challenge of his victory at the polls in March 2023, the Supreme Court said it had no merit.

Nnaji’s grouse was that Mba’s nomination by his Party did not follow due process. He, therefore, asked the Apex Court to nullify his election as Governor.

But the Five-man Panel of Justices, in a unanimous judgement, refused to nullify the Governor’s election.  It held that the suit filed by Nnaji and his Party, the APC, is invalid, and therefore, incompetent.

The Justices also noted that Nnaji and APC were unable to prove why the Court should rely on the alleged invalid process it filed to invalidate Mba’s victory.

The Court of Appeal had earlier thrown away the case, but Nnaji and APC proceeded to the Supreme Court.

Governor Mba has a pending case before the Enugu Governorship Election Tribunal instituted against his victory and qualification to contest by the Candidate of the Labour Party, Chijoke Edoga, who, like Mba, is a Lawyer.

Tinubu Names Cardoso, His Former Commissioner,  New CBN Governor, Effectively Sacks Emefiele

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

A successor to embattled suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, currently under detention and being prosecuted by the Federal Government, has emerged.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, approved the nomination of Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso to serve as the new Governor of the CBN, for a term of five years at the first instance, pending his confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. With the appointment, Emefiele has Effectively been sacked as the CBN Governor.

Cardoso, Lagos indigene, accomplished Chartered Accountant, Banker, and Financial guru, was the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget under Tinubu as Lagos State Governor.

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale stated in a release that the nomination is in line with CBN rules.

“This directive is in conformity with Section 8 (1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which vests in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the authority to appoint the Governor and Four (4) Deputy Governors for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), subject to confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Furthermore, President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of four new Deputy Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for a term of five (5) years at the first instance, pending their confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, as listed below:

“Mrs. Emem Nnana Usoro; Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo; Mr. Philip Ikeazor; and Dr. Bala M. Bello.

“In line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, the President expects the above listed nominees to successfully implement critical reforms at the Central Bank of Nigeria, which will enhance the confidence of Nigerians and international partners in the restructuring of the Nigerian economy toward sustainable growth and prosperity for all.”

Cardoso was a founding member  of Citi Bank, and later, Citizens Bank. Between 2010 – 2022, he was the Chairman of Citi Bank.

A father of five children and three grandchildren, his father, Felix Bankole Cardoso, was Nigeria’s first indigenous Accountant General of the Federation, and first indigenous Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Barclays Bank Bank of Nigeria.

Ministry Of Niger Delta Proposes Take Over Of East-West Road For Early Completion

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Cross River State Government has said that bringing back the Ministry of Niger Delta was the best thing for the people of the Region.

The State Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, who received the Minister, in charge of the Ministry, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, on behalf of the Governor, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing an Engineer as the Minister to oversee the ministry.

According to him: “When the first list of Ministers was released without the Ministry of Niger Delta, we felt forgotten. However, when the second list was unveiled with your names, we were relieved because you are an engineer.

“We often don’t see ourselves as part of the Niger Delta region because we are not treated as such. Our roads are in terrible condition, and we are eager to collaborate with you because we have confidence in your abilities.

“Whatever assistance or collaboration you require, our Governors are at your service.

“I suggest that those of you in leadership positions should remember that the Niger Delta Development Commission is closer to the people.

“Since taking office, you have taken the initiative to familiarize yourself with the issues and challenges facing our region. This is quite commendable.

“We believe that if the East-West road were under the Ministry of Niger Delta, it would receive better monitoring and attention.

“In the past, contractors would receive funds and then abandon their projects. We hope that this will change from now on.

“Please know that we are available and willing to assist you in any way you require at any time. While the governor may not be present, my lines are open, and I am ready to provide any assistance needed.”

In his remark, Momoh stated, “We aimed to inspect some of the projects the ministry has undertaken in recent years. It was essential for us to conduct an inspection before proceeding to execute the government’s policies in the office.

“Before our arrival, I was informed that the road from Uyo was impassable, and I received advice to fly back to Abuja and reconsider my travel plans.

“However, I am pleased that I chose to take the road, as I now have first-hand information to provide whenever discussions about that road arise.

“This Administration embodies a renewed hope agenda because the President is attentive to the situation on the ground, particularly the state of roads in the country.

“While the condition of roads nationwide is concerning, the most pressing challenge in this region is the East-West Road. Previously, this road primarily covered Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, and others.

“Notably, the section from Benin to Calabar was not included. It is apparent that this omission poses a significant challenge.

“Therefore, my message is a call for collaboration with various state governments to address the decay in infrastructure and improve security, among other issues. Meaningful development cannot occur without peace, and I advocate for peace in all the places I have visited.

“Renaming the East-West Road to the South-South Road is important, but it should also be extended to include areas and states that were previously excluded.

“Additionally, I propose that the road’s management be transferred from the Ministry of Works to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

“Addressing this road’s challenges is a daunting task while it remains under the Ministry of Works, given the multitude of federal roads in the country, totaling over 36,000 in need of attention. I believe the Ministry of Niger Delta Development would be better suited to manage this road.

“Let us make an effort to encourage our governors to support and endorse this initiative so we can secure immediate and committed attention and action for this road.”

“Stop The Waste Of Time And Resources, Tinubu Was Our Student, Graduated From Our University” – Chicago State University

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Chicago State University, CSU, has finally confirmed that President Bola Tinubu  was actually their student, and graduated from the institution in 1979.

CSU made this disclosure to the USA’s News Network, CBS. It said that Tinubu graduated from the institution in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Administration.

There has been controversy surrounding Tinubu’s academic record with the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, filing a lawsuit in the US to compel CSU officials to turn over Tinubu’s academic documents.

However,  CSU told CBS that it was confident in the veracity and integrity of its records regarding Tinubu’s completion of graduation requirements and degree certificate, but was restrained by the United States Federal Law to provide any further information about Tinubu’s record, without consent or unless allowed to do so via Court order.

The statement from the Chicago State University on Tinubu published by CBS on Thursday reads: “As an educational institution, we are sometimes asked to provide information related to student records.

“Federal law known as FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects the privacy of student records and limits what an institution can release.

“In August 2023, a request was made in U.S. federal court for the university to provide information related to educational records concerning Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, and a former CSU student.

“The university has confirmed Tinubu attended CSU and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree. Federal law, however, prevents us from providing any further information without consent or unless allowed to do so via court order.

“CSU is confident in the veracity and integrity of our records regarding Tinubu’s completion of graduation requirements and degree certificate.

“The university is not a party to the Nigerian legal proceedings that spurred this request, and a U.S. federal judge will determine whether the university will provide further requested information.

“Our response to the request for Tinubu’s academic records has been entirely consistent with our practices, policies, and federal law. We would respond in exactly the same manner for any request for any student information by a third party.”

Lagos Has Largest External Debt – NBS

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Lagos State, the commercial hub of the Nation has recorded the largest and highest domestic debt in in Q3 of 2023 with N996.44 Billion by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

The NBS added that Delta State is second with N465.40 Billion. NBS  disclosed this in its Domestic and Foreign Debt report for Q2 2023.

It also confirmed that Nigeria’s public debt grew at a rate of 75.27% on a quarter-on-quarter basis.

The report noted that Nigeria’s public debt stock which includes external and domestic debt stood at N87.38 trillion (US$113.42 billion) in Q2 2023 from N49.85 trillion (US$ 108.30 billion) in Q1 2023, indicating a growth rate of 75.27% on a quarter-on-quarter basis.

“Jigawa state recorded the lowest domestic debt with N43.13 billion, followed by Kebbi with N60.94 billion. Lagos state recorded the highest external debt with US$ 1.26 billion, followed by Kaduna with US$569.38 million. Borno state had the least external debt with US$18.75 million, followed by Taraba with US$21.92 million,” the report read.

Lagos State’s domestic debt was recorded at N996.4 billion, as the total domestic debt for states was N5.8 trillion for the quarter, meanwhile the Federal Capital, FCT recorded domestic debt of N84.773 billion

“I Cannot Be Forced To Resign From Office” – Ondo Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa - Deputy Governor of Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, says there are plans to force him to resign from office.

Already, a letter of resignation, purportedly signed by him is reportedly circulating in the social media.

Signs that the relationship between the Deputy governor and his Principal, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is no more cordial emerged last week when the Governor returned from medical leave abroad.

Few days after his return, Akeredolu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, announced the withdrawal of the Media team attached to the Deputy Governor’s office.

Also in his appreciation message to Nigerians, the name of the Deputy Governor was conspicuously missing, while the Governor thanked other members of the State Executive Council.

At a function in Akure on Friday, the Governor was represented by his Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Aragbaiye, despite the fact that the Deputy Governor was not engaged anywhere.

A statement on Friday signed by the Deputy Governor reads “My attention has been drawn to a rumour of a purported pre-signed resignation letter, signed by me, being circulated in the public domain.

“I wish to state that I, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State have not, do not intend and will not sign/author any letter resigning my position as the duly elected Deputy Governor in a joint ticket with my principal the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON

“I took an oath the day I was sworn in along with Mr. Governor on February 24th, 2021 to protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a four (4) year mandate which terminates in February 23rd, 2025.

“I remain loyal to my Principal and stand by the oath took with the Bible to run the full cycle of the four year tenure with Mr. Governor.

“To this end I urge the people of Ondo State, the State Assembly and the general public to disregard such letter now and in the future.”

Breaking: Election Tribunal Throws Out Onyeagucha’s Petition Against Senator Onyewuchi

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi and Barrister Uche Onyeagucha

By Adesina Soyooye

Barrister Uche Onyeagucha, the Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 25, 2023, Senatorial Election, has had his suit against incumbent Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi thrown out.

On Friday, September 15, 2023, the Imo State Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Nasarawa State, dismissed Onyeagucha’s petition filed before it  against Onyewuchi, declared winner of the Owerri Senatorial District  by the Independent National Electoral Commission,  INEC.

In its judgement, the Three- man Panel of Judges  dismissed the petition as without  merit, and affirmed the victory of Onyewuchi, the Candidate of the Labour Party.

Onyeagucha, a former member of the House of Representatives, was the Secretary to the Imo State Government under the Government of the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

Details later.

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